Fenton Koehler's - Birdhouses

Fenton Koehler followed in the tradition of his father, a passionate builder of birdhouses. In his studio on the shores of Lake Cumberland in Kentucky, he specialized in unique hand-crafted birdhouses and butterfly houses. Every house was designed to be both functional and attractive. They can be used outdoors or as interior accent pieces. His craft is highly prized and he is represented in a variety of galleries and wildlife stores throughout the southern United States.

Fenton's Work Is Truly Wonderful

SWR-003 Wren House
Height: 9 1/2 inches

Only the finest of materials and hand craftsmanship went into the creation of these products. Though of similar design, no two items were identical due to the hand crafting, detailing and painting of each bird house.

BF-008 - Butterfly House
Height: 16 inches

The quality exterior finishes makes these items well-suited for years of enjoyment in your yard or garden area. They will attract the nesting of our feathered friends and add pleasure to your yard or garden.

Metal Roof Wren House
BRM-001 - Metal Roof Wren House
Height: 9 1/2 inches

Although these items are well-suited for outdoor use, many owners of Fenton's Crafts utilize them as interior accent pieces. Either way, you are sure to enjoy the fine craftsmanship and uniqueness of each bird or butterfly house in your home or garden.

 

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About Fenton Crafts

After working as vice president of operations for Coca-Cola for 30 years and as vice president of general affairs and personnel manager for Mazak Corporation in Florence, Kentucky for 10 years, Fenton retired and moved with his wife, Dee Dee, to Lake Cumberland where they had spent summer vacations for over 30 years.

Fenton Koehler at Work

Fenton's hobby was making wooden toys for his grandchildren. He made a few bird houses and when friends and neighbors saw them they wanted more. Because each birdhouse is hand painted his work is not just a house for a bird, but truly a work of art.

In his workshop on the shores of beautiful Lake Cumberland, Fenton said, "This is a perfect setting for my craft. Last year I made around 1,100 bird and butterfly houses and still have difficulty in keeping up with the demand from my customers. My houses are sold in hundreds of stores, gift shops and state parks." Fenton's Birdhouses are distributed in many states and from Texas, to Florida to Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio."

Fenton at Work

Between his retail accounts and the craft shows he attends, Fenton's work is on display all over the United States, but his story doesn't end there.

Workshop

"I am honored that my birdhouses have been a part of the exchange program in Japan. For the past two years, my bird houses have been sent to to the Far East where they are sold at one of the largest international craft shows."

Each house is weather-protected and highly functional providing homes for our feathered friends. Some of the structures even have trap doors, making them easier to clean. Many collectors, however, choose to use the birdhouses as accent pieces indoors because they are exquisite works of art as well as functional dwellings for wildlife.

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Care of Fenton Crafts
Birdhouses / Butterfly Houses - Instructions

Bluebird House

Fenton's Blue Bird Houses should be placed on a tree or pole facing the South, 4-5 feet above the ground. Since Blue Birds require a clean house each spring, each Fenton Blue Bird House is designed with an easy access side door for yearly cleaning. The quality finish will be extended with indoor storage during the winter months and returned to your garden by the first of March, since Blue Birds start their nesting search in early spring.

Butterflies are attracted easily to backyards by planting a garden with a variety of plants and flowers that nourish both the caterpillar and adult butterfly. A visit to a nature store can help you with the proper selection of plants and flowers.

The Fenton Butterfly House is designed to encourage butterflies to remain near your garden, even during cooler months.

The Fenton Butterfly House should be located in or close to your garden and away from prevailing winds. Hang it three to five feet off the ground on a tree or pole. It should be in direct or partial sunlight.

Your butterfly house requires very little maintenance. You should discourage bees and other unwanted visitors from using the box. By leaving the side trap door open, for a little while, will usually discourage their use of the box.

To help Attract Butterflies to Your Butterfly House:

1. Fill a small cheese cloth bag with crushed leaves from any/or a blend of the following and place on the inside floor of your box:

Dried willow, birch, elm, nettle, and/or thistle leaves. These can be collected easily in many backyards or along roadsides and dried in the sun. The leaves give off an attractive odor to many butterflies.

2. Also place large pieces of bark, collected from fallen trees or old wood piles, in a vertical position inside your butterfly house. Be careful not to block the holes on the front of the house.

Butterflies will only be attracted to your garden if you have plenty of their favorite nectar producing flowers for feeding and their favorite host plants for egg laying. There are several excellent books about butterfly gardening available at your local nature supply store or garden center.

Your Fenton Butterfly House also makes an attractive accent piece in your home.